Chapter 27 - The Malevolent Fish
At this moment, Zhang Kai finally understood what the forbidden area was all about. It was undoubtedly a treacherous place, likely associated with bad luck. The fact that it was used to ward off disasters in the past hinted at ominous consequences. Perhaps the short-lived dynasties in history or other misfortunes were related to this place.
However, Zhang Kai was also curious. How did those deities and spirits manage to take over the resting places of emperors, moving the imperial corpses and making these places their own?
"Well, now that we've found the forbidden area, may I ask, Masters, how do we enter?" Gu Mingyu inquired.
The old fortune teller replied, "Naturally, we enter through the Dragon's Mouth."
"Dragon's Mouth?" Gu Mingyu looked puzzled.
"That's right. The wind we encountered in the canyon earlier is not ordinary wind; it's the breath of a dragon. It was formed by the natural formations of this region. As long as this breath continues and the terrain remains unchanged, the resting place is safe. The place where this wind originates is called the Dragon's Mouth."
"Dragon's Breath? There's a dragon here!" Gu Mingyu's eyes widened in astonishment.
The old fortune teller chuckled, "The emperor is often referred to as a dragon. In this context, 'dragon' refers to the deceased emperors buried here. The spirits, which are hidden here to avoid calamity, have used their secret techniques to create living-dead beings, still possessing life force despite their physical deaths. They alternate between life and death, concealing the true nature of this place."
"What a cunning scheme! How did these spirits manage to do that? Do you know which spirit currently resides here?" Daoist Chongming inquired.
The old fortune teller replied, "The Great Spirit of Changling Mountain."
"The Mountain's Great Spirit? Why him?" Daoist Chongming exclaimed, looking surprised.
The title 'Great Spirit' referred to the chief deity within a region's spiritual hierarchy.
The old fortune teller explained, "Only the chief spirit of a particular lineage would have the capability to seize control of an emperor's resting place. After all, emperors are believed to be the protectors of the land, and they receive the blessings of heaven and earth. This Great Spirit of Changling Mountain must have paid a significant price to occupy this place. But it works in our favor; the Great Spirit himself should pose no threat to us. As long as we don't cross the boundaries set by the Great Spirit to avoid calamity, we can access the treasures that the Great Spirit has stored in the forbidden area, which should be sufficient for our cultivation."
"In that case, what are we waiting for? Masters, what's the next step?" Gu Mingyu asked eagerly.
The old fortune teller calculated and observed his surroundings while mumbling incantations. After a moment, he pointed in a direction and said, "Follow me, but remember, follow my instructions precisely."
He continued, "Take seven steps forward."
Then the old fortune teller led the way, and the group followed him.
"Turn left and take five steps."
"Go forward nine steps."
"Turn right and take three steps."
...
The old fortune teller's movements were mysterious. At first, Zhang Kai was confused, but soon he widened his eyes in amazement. As they followed the steps precisely, the scenery before them changed drastically.
The stone qilins remained, but the mountain behind them had transformed into a waterway, leading to a cavern that reached a height of four to five meters, shrouded in darkness and depth.
It was a marvelous formation, a combination of the natural terrain and an illusionary spell.
Zhang Kai marveled at the sight. Despite his extraordinary martial arts skills, he was out of his depth when it came to mystical arts. If it weren't for the old fortune teller leading the way, he would never have been able to enter.
"Divine techniques are truly profound and incomprehensible," Zhang Kai sighed. Although he had achieved remarkable martial prowess, it paled in comparison to the mystical arts, which were beyond worldly methods. Without the guidance of the Great Spirit, they would never have entered.
"That's right. This is merely a natural illusion formed by the terrain. If my cultivation were at the Golden Core stage, I could see through it at a glance, and there would be no need for such precise calculations and efforts," the old fortune teller explained, a hint of regret in his voice.
The difference was clear. The Great Spirit's formation, utilizing the natural terrain, was beyond their control. If the Great Spirit didn't allow them to enter, they wouldn't be able to.
"Now that we've reached the Dragon's Mouth, things won't be as easy as outside. Every step we take could be dangerous. Stay vigilant, and no matter what you see, don't let curiosity get the best of you," the old fortune teller warned with a serious expression.
Gu Mingyu nodded. "Rest assured, Master Zhou. We'll follow your instructions."
The old fortune teller then turned to Daoist Chongming with a sly smile.
Daoist Chongming was momentarily surprised, then he sighed and smiled wryly. It seemed that everyone had to contribute their efforts. Along the way, Gu Mingyu had provided resources, and now that they had reached this point, the old fortune teller guided the way. It was time for Daoist Chongming to make his contribution.
Thinking this, Daoist Chongming glanced at Zhang Kai, who had a naive expression on his face. It was as if Zhang Kai had foreseen this situation and made his preparations in advance. But it was too late to change the situation now.
"Agang, you go ahead," Daoist Chongming said.
Agang, the crooked-mouthed young man, blinked in surprise, then looked at Daoist Chongming with a pitiful expression.
Daoist Chongming continued seriously, "One must prepare for battle for a thousand days to use it for one moment. You've been learning Taoism from me for several years now, and this is a rare opportunity for you to test your abilities. If you impress me this time, I'll teach you the Blood Refinement Technique."
Agang's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really, Master? You won't be disappointed, I promise!"
With a joyous bounce in his step, Agang moved ahead.
Zhang Kai couldn't help but sigh. This guy had really gotten himself into a mess.
Unexpectedly, the old fortune teller glanced at Daoist Chongming with an amused expression. It seemed that Daoist Chongming had quite the cunning plan.
Now that Agang was taking the lead, the rest of the group followed. They entered the cave, and while the entrance was relatively well-lit, the darkness deepened as they ventured further inside. They had to rely on the flashlight of a mobile phone Gu Mingyu had brought for illumination.
After walking for less than three minutes, Zhang Kai suddenly felt as though something malevolent was watching him. It was as if there was an ominous presence nearby, ready to attack.
This unsettling sensation came from the water.
Zhang Kai quickly pinpointed the source, and with his inner energy, his eyes seemed to glow, granting him clear vision in the darkness. He saw a dark shape moving stealthily through the water, silent and fast.
Suddenly, the dark shape leaped out of the water and lunged at him.
"Damn it! What is this thing?" The old fortune teller exclaimed in shock as he slapped the creature. With a loud "pop," the dark shape burst open, splattering a foul-smelling liquid.
Zhang Kai observed closely and realized that it looked like a fish with a long, slender body, but after it burst open, the liquid it released was noxious and peculiar.
"This is no ordinary fish; it's a Malevolent Fish, and it's poisonous. Don't touch it, everyone!" The old fortune teller's hand had become numb after slapping the creature, and he shouted a warning.